With Sophie. It was very squelchy underfoot today, walking over field paths where a lot of snow had melted in the last few days. We parked in Longnor and took the path through Folds End that follows the Manifold south past Over and Lower Boothlow to Ridge End Farm where we turned left towards Ludburn. Just before we turned left we were caught up with by a large pack of fox houses and a couple of huntsmen blowing away on their horn thing. Neither friendly nor unfriendly both beasts and men were too intent on their task to pay us any heed. Evidently the New Year Meet of some local hunt. Of following horses there was no sign.

From Ludburn we crossed cowy fields to Bridge End then NW past The Ferns to School Clough. A brief spell on tarmac round the corner at Fawfieldhead then we headed very muddily northeast to Heath House over big fields that armies of cows, presently evacuated for the cold weather, had mightily churned up. From there a short road walk took us back to Longnor and so home.